Senator Alan Peter Cayetano emphasized the importance of fairness and due process in the case against former President Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court (ICC). He stated that the issue centers on justice and the rule of law.
“Ang tama ay tama, at ang mali ay mali,” Cayetano said during a March 15, 2025 Facebook live session.
“‘Pag tama ang ginagawa ng gobyerno, I not only agree but support. Pero ‘pag mali, I try to do my best na iparating that we can do it better,” he added.
The senator from Taguig raised concerns about the ICC’s process, warning of potential consequences beyond Duterte’s case.
“What if they issue a warrant and suddenly you can’t go to court? Imagine 20 generals, 50 colonels, and some government secretaries being sent there. That’s a possibility,” he said.
He also questioned the fairness of the proceedings, noting that the former president wasn’t given a chance to defend himself. “He did not have a chance to confront his witnesses, the witnesses against him. He does not know when he got there, kung ano ang kaso, at ano ang mga evidence.”
Cayetano urged Filipinos to speak up, not out of political loyalty, but in defense of due process and national sovereignty.
“The more we show them na better ang human rights sa Pilipinas, better ang case natin na mali na isinakay na lang siya sa eroplano at dinala doon [sa Netherlands]. This is such a big injustice — not to him but to the Filipino people,” he also said.IMT
